1996 Peugeot 406 LX Aircon/ABS 2.0

Summary:

Great handling, crap build quality

Faults:

Design fault in the car causes damage to the driver's door.

All rubber perishes quickly.

ECU fault.

Clutch.

Brake discs.

Exhaust.

Cat.

Cracked rear suspension.

Air conditioning leaked.

Tyres wear quickly.

Glove box handle came off.

Dash lights frequent replacement.

Headlight frequent replacement.

Central locking problem.

Electric window stuck.

Idle stepper motor siezed.

Head gasket lead.

Leaking/damaged cylinder.

Leaking power steering.

Leaking brakes.

Damaged radiator.

Cooling fan broke.

Cooling regulator problems.

Air duct fell off.

Gear linkage was going.

Trim falling off.

Handbrake.

General Comments:

Very, very unreliable parts! Not built to last in the slightest!

Although so many things have gone wrong it's never actually broken down (always started first time).

Costs a fortune to run and not so good on fuel economy.

Nice interior with plenty of gadgets, but seats not so comfy.

Great handling.

Great power steering feedback.

Good acceleration and performance, although doing a standing start 0-60 you can actually watch the fuel gauge going down.

I have, since this car, bought a 1999 new shape 406LX 2.0HDi and they seem to have massively improved the car. Up to 24,000 miles so far and going good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th September, 2000

4th Aug 2005, 19:14

Its interesting to note you say that the parts are unreliable and not built to last.

My 1996 406 as 167K miles on the clock. Most of it is still original!

Exhaust, breaks and tires are a given for replacement. But my car is coming up to 10 years old and still has all its original rubber, ECU, Radiator, suspension, handbrake, clutch. In fact all the major things that should not really go wrong have not. And my driving is not perfect, I can be a little harsh round the corners and fast on the motorways

My car now even sports a dent and depression up front thanks to some city driving antics. The bonnet is slightly buckled and the slam panel has been pushed back a few centimeters, yet I have done 25-35K miles with the car in this condition, through 2 winters. I've even had it to 124mph on a German motorway.

It's a superb car and is in much better condition, mechanically, than my neighbor's 4 year old Ford Focus.

I'm sorry, but from your review it sounds like you have a harsh driving style as lot of the item you list can break with excessively harsh driving. Any car is going to break quickly if you chuck it about.

1996 Peugeot 406 SRi 2.0 turbo petrol

Faults:

Nothing major, just wear and tear items e.g. brake discs, pads and exhaust, tyres etc.

General Comments:

Lovely car to drive, comfortable and quick.

Drinks petrol at a fast rate if you use the power it has.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st September, 2000

1996 Peugeot 406 GLX 2.0

Faults:

Exhaust broken twice, suspect something to do with the many speed humps where I live, otherwise: Nothing!

Dealer service could not be better - I wish the car also broke down a few times as it is the only time it gets a good clean when being serviced.

General Comments:

Reliable & lots of toys - climate control & CD autochanger are great. A minor grumble is that seats lack some support.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th December, 1999

1996 Peugeot 406 LX Air-Con 1.8i 16v

Faults:

Nothing!

Hopefully nothing will go wrong...

So far so good then!

General Comments:

Dealer service points awarded for a service carried out, tried to rip me off!

Otherwise the other dealer I use in Braintree, has to get 10 out of 10, for their parts counter service alone!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd October, 1999

1996 Peugeot 406 GLX Aircon 2.0 16v petrol

Faults:

CD autochanger malfunctioned.

General Comments:

The 406 is an excellent car, and a vast improvement on my old Mondeo.

The ride, handling, and comfort are Benz-like, but the engine could do with a bit more torque and bhp (it has only 136bhp and this is not enough for real tarmac tearing stuff).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd August, 1997